It doesn't take long to see that Temple Grandin, the main character in this eponymous HBO movie, is, well, different--she (in the person of Claire Danes, who plays her) tells us before the credits start that she's "not like other people." But "different" is not "less." Indeed, Grandin, who is now in her 60s, has accomplished a good deal more than a great many "normal" folks, let alone others afflicted with the autism that Grandin overcame on her way to earning a doctorate and becoming a bestselling author and a pioneer in the humane treatment of livestock. It wasn't easy. The doctor who diagnosed her at age 4 said she'd never talk and would have to be institutionalized.

Only through the dogged efforts of her mother (Julia Ormond), who was told that "lack of bonding" with her child might have caused the autism, did Grandin learn to speak; to go to high school, college, and grad school; and to become a highly productive scientist, enduring the cruel taunts of her classmates and the resistance of many of the adults in her life (most of whom are shown as either narrow-minded prigs or macho, chauvinist jerks). Her lack of social skills and sometimes violent reactions to the overstimulation in her environment made it tough to fit in, to say the least.

Danes, who is in nearly every scene of director Mick Jackson's film, is remarkable, embodying Grandin's various idiosyncrasies (such as talking, too loud, too fast, and too much) without resorting to caricature. Jackson does a marvelous job of depicting not only her actual accomplishments (among other things, she took the "squeeze machine" created to "gentle" upset cattle and adapted it for herself, using it to replace the hugs she never got as a child; later on, she revolutionized the systems used to prepare cows for slaughter, as well as the design of the slaughterhouses themselves), but also her more abstract talents, especially the extraordinary visual acuity that enables her to remember virtually everything she's ever seen.

This is mostly Danes's film, but the whole cast is top-notch, especially Ormond, Catherine O'Hara as Temple's aunt, and David Strathairn as one of the few teachers who saw Grandin's potential. Captivating, compelling, and thoroughly entertaining, Temple Grandin is highly recommended.

2011 -Golden Globe: BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION: Claire Danes

My class had read an excerpt from a book by Temple Grandin. Watching the movie made the whole experience come to life. My students are university students in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class. They connected with the difficulties that Temple faced in not being understood by others. The flashes that showed what Temple envisioned when people used certain phrases (e.g. animal husbandry) brought immediate sympathetic laughter and understanding. Claire Danes is dead on in her mannerisms and voice. I was also impressed with Julia Ormand's understated performance. This movie reminds us of what we hope we've learned about being different but not less.

I'm a special education administrator using this documentary to provide a "one example" overview of characteristics of Aspergers to school personnel and parents encountering this condition for the first time.

I have an Asberger's/autistic granddaughter. This movie showed a few of the behavior oddities. Each person is different, but It helps someone unfamiliar, see how they can be so bright yet disfunctional.

I was very inspired by this movie about Temple Grandin, who identifies herself as "autistic". It inspires all of us to be all that we can be by focusing on our strengths and making the most of our weaknesses. Clare Danes is excellent at playing Temple. I loaned it to all my friends then went out and bought a copy for my daughter and granddaughters. Be sure to watch the special features and get to know Temple, herself. Then, maybe you will do what I have done and read her books too.

As a parent of two autistic children, I highly recommend Temple Grandin. Clare Danes accurately portrays what life is like for those afflicted with Autism. She's nothing short of brilliant. The movie allows a look inside of what it is like to be the parent of autistic children and it i done so masterfully. I wholeheartedly recommend.

This is a great movie...Claire Danes best role..in my opinion...This is great for the whole family...gives you a new outlook on autisim. We have watched this 4-5 times in the same day...makes for a lazy day watching

I will always remember Temple Grandin and the way God loved her through her life and used her to show mercy and compassion on the cattle. My heart understands He would do no less for me and my loved ones!!!

I plan to buy this movie for every single school in my school district. I've asked all my family members to watch it. My daughter has Asperger's, and no amount of talking about what she goes through can communicate as clearly as this movie what her world is like. This movie changes how people view and understand Autism and its related disorders. It's by far the most valuable tool a parent with a child on the spectrum can have to facilitate compassion for their child.

Wonderful movie! Great insight into what is is like to have autism. Confirmed my belief that having high expectations (and going on your gut instinct instead of the "professional's" opinions) for your child means everything for their future.

I love this movie!!! I tell everyone I see to watch it. And I really push the teachers and theropist in my 9 yr. old son's life to watch it, and know that my son can do amazing things and stop selling him short. Temple Grandin is my hero and this movie is amazing. Loved every minute of it and I watch it over and over and cry every time out of admiration for Temple and her mother for pushing her to do her absolute best. Way to go HBO you have really touched a lot of hearts with story that really deserved to be told!